Foreign Language

OVERVIEW:

This document provides a description of the Foreign Language component of University Studies. In so doing, it differentiates between common
component-level student learning outcomes and discipline-specific course-level
learning outcomes, offering examples of both types. The goal is to encourage
the development of challenging and varied University Studies courses that share
common assessable student learning outcomes.

PART I: DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE

This component of the University
Studies program includes courses that students need in order to effectively
communicate in a language other than English. The study of a foreign language
allows students to broaden their understanding of the world through the
language-based study of other cultures and groups. It also deepens the students’
understanding of their native language and culture. In order to reach these
goals, students must be exposed to authentic language and cultural input on a
consistent basis in order to acquire the speaking, reading, writing, and
listening skills needed to communicate in the foreign language. Students must
also be exposed to the various facets of the regions and groups that speak the
language being studied. This is done through the study of literature, art,
music, film, history, religion, geography, and the language itself. Students
should explore cultural diversity and interactions in the U.S. and abroad,
including diverse cultural values, traditions, and viewpoints.

PART II: COMMON STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ALIGNED TO UNIVERSITY STUDIES GOALS

The following are the Common Student Learning Outcomes for Foreign
Language. These are aligned with the UNCW Learning Goals. Each course in
this category must address all of the Common Student Learning Outcomes for the
category, and list these Common SLOs along with course-specific SLOs in the
course syllabus. Proposals for inclusion in the category will describe the
opportunities which will be provided for students to learn the outcome
(readings, class discussion and/or activities, applied projects) and list the
specific sources of evidence (exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.) that will
be used to determine the level of student understanding.

The student
will:

SL 1. Demonstrate basic proficiency in speaking and listening in
interactions such as simple conversations in a language in addition to English.
[Foundational Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Second Language]

SL 2. Comprehend text and demonstrate basic proficiency in writing in a
language in addition to English. [Foundational Knowledge, Critical Thinking,
Second Language]

SL 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical, political, and social
realities of the countries and cultures that speak (or spoke) the language being
studied. [Inquiry, Critical Thinking, Second Language, Global Citizenship]

SL 4. Demonstrate the ability to examine other societies in a comparative
context and to understand one’s own society in the context of other societies,
particularly those societies that speak the language being studied.
[Foundational Knowledge, Inquiry, Critical Thinking, Diversity, Global
Citizenship]

PART III: STUDENT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to demonstrate proficiency through the 201
(Intermediate I) level (or 102 in a language not previously studied). Students
with no background in the language selected may thus be required to take six
hours from this component. Most students continuing in the language studied in
high school will likely take 0-3 hours from this component. Students with
sufficient background may elect to fulfill this requirement by examination.